Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1370-02-.04 – Preliminary Qualifications for Licensure

(1) Licensed Hearing Instrument Specialist by Examination:
1. (a) Eighteen (18) years of age or older; and
2. (b) Education equivalent to two (2) years of accredited college level course work or hold National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) certification; and
3. (c) An applicant must pass the written examination, the practical skills examination, and the Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination as found in Rule 1370-02-.08.
(2) Apprentice Hearing Instrument Specialist:
1. (a) Eighteen (18) years of age or older; and
2. (b) Education equivalent to two (2) years of accredited college level course work or hold National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) certification; and
3. (c) Sponsor to provide training and supervision.
(3) Reciprocity for Applicants with NBC-HIS Certification:
1. (a) Eighteen (18) years of age or older; and
2. (b) Hold National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences (NBC-HIS) certification; and
3. (c) Hold a current unencumbered license, registration, or certification from another state or country; and
4. (d) An applicant must pass the Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination as found in Rule 1370-02-.08.
(4) Reciprocity for Applicants without NBC-HIS Certification:
1. (a) Eighteen (18) years of age or older; and
2. (b) Education equivalent to two (2) years of accredited college level course work; and
3. (c) Hold a current unencumbered license, registration, or certification from another state or country, which was based on passing a written and practical examination developed in accordance with IHS standards, with an overall passing score as determined by the IHS; and
4. (d) An applicant must pass the Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination found in Rule 1370- 02-.08.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 63-15-107, 63-15-108, 63-15-111, 63-17-105, 63-17-203, 63-17- 207, 63-17-208, 63-17-209, and 63-17-211 and 2019 Public Chapter 323. Administrative History: Original rule filed November 22, 1978; effective January 8, 1979. Repeal and new rule filed September 24, 1987; effective November 8, 1987. Amendment filed March 1, 1990; effective April 15, 1990. Repeal and new rule filed April 29, 1992; effective June 13, 1992. Repeal and new rule renumbered from 0760- 01-.04 filed December 28, 1999; effective March 12, 2000. Amendments filed May 14, 2018; effective August 12, 2018. Amendments filed March 8, 2022; effective June 6, 2022.